Election Watch Ghana, a prominent advocacy group, staged a gathering at the Electoral Commission’s (EC) headquarters on Monday, August 19, to demand the immediate release of the Provisional Voter Register (PVR) to political parties. The group’s action comes on the heels of the EC’s delay in publishing the provisional voter register, a critical requirement under the Constitutional Instrument governing the 2024 elections.
Despite earlier assurances from the EC, the delay has sparked significant concern among stakeholders, particularly the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and other political parties participating in the upcoming general elections. The delay has raised eyebrows, with many questioning the EC’s commitment to transparency and integrity in the electoral process.
Mark Ewusi, the Convenor of Election Watch Ghana, addressed the media outside the EC headquarters, expressing the group’s frustration and disappointment. Ewusi emphasized the importance of releasing the provisional voter register, citing the need for political parties to scrutinize it before the exhibition exercise scheduled for the following day.
He noted that the EC’s failure to make the register available undermines the transparency and integrity of the electoral process, casting a shadow over the credibility of the upcoming elections. Ewusi also expressed concern that the EC’s workers and commissioners were absent from work, further complicating the situation and fueling suspicions of foul play.
The gathering by Election Watch Ghana is a clear indication of the growing unease among stakeholders regarding the EC’s handling of the electoral process. As the country inches closer to the 2024 general elections, the need for transparency, accountability, and integrity in the electoral process becomes increasingly crucial, and Election Watch Ghana’s demands reflect this imperative.
